LIQUID MEMBRANES

The nuclear properties of Tc-99m radionuclide are ideal for organ imag ing. Study of the technetium transport across supported liquid membran es has been performed to get data for its separation from other elemen ts. Tri-n-octylamine diluted in xylene was used to constitute the liqu id membranes, supported in polypropylene microporous films. Stripping on the product solution side was performed with dilute NaOH solutions. The efect of sulphuric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid in the feed on transport of Tc-99m as TcO4- ions has been studied. The perme ability of the given ions determined from kinetic activity data has be en found to be in the order of PH2SO4 > PHCl > PHNO3 ?he flux values h ave been calculated based on this permeability data. The increase in c arrier concentration has shown an increase in flux and permeability va lues to a given optimum concentration. The increase in temperature has been found to reduce the transport of Tc ions. The optimum conditions for transport of Tc-99m for the given acid concentration have been de termined. Mechanism of Tc ion transport has also been provided based o n chemical reactions involved at the membrane interfaces and uptake of Tc ions by the membrane. MoO42- ions do not permeate through membrane under optimum conditions of transport for TcO42- ions from H2SO4 solu tion.